Washington Post CEO Resigns After Laying Off 300 Journalists
Did Lewis destroy the Post through incompetence or make tough decisions necessary for its survival?
Above: Will Lewis in London, U.K., on Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2023. Image credit: Carlotta Cardana/Bloomberg/Getty Images
The Spin
Narrative A
Lewis destroyed a legendary institution through incompetence and cowardice, hiding from staff during brutal layoffs while partying at the Super Bowl. His catastrophic tenure gutted essential coverage, drove away top talent and left the newsroom in ruins. Bezos must reverse these devastating cuts or sell to someone who actually values journalism.
Narrative B
Lewis made tough but necessary decisions to save the Post from financial collapse and ensure its long-term survival. The transformation focused resources on what readers actually want, using data to guide coverage priorities. The Post will continue this essential work to build a sustainable business model that preserves fearless journalism.
